Laos Motorbike Tours: Ride the Best Routes in Laos

The Best Motorbike Routes in Laos

Laos is a dream destination for riders who crave untouched landscapes, winding mountain roads, and authentic cultural encounters. Unlike neighboring Thailand or Vietnam, Laos remains raw and less traveled, which makes every ride feel like a true adventure. Riders from around the world — from seasoned GS Adventure explorers to backpackers renting a Honda CB500X — return with stories of incredible scenery, warm hospitality, and journeys that feel more like expeditions than vacations.

As someone who has ridden across Laos multiple times, I can confidently say: riding here is not just about covering distance, it’s about immersing yourself in the rhythm of the land. Whether you’re leaning into the curves of the Bolaven Plateau or following the misty mountain trails of Northern Laos, every kilometer is unforgettable.

Benefits of Motorbike Rides in Laos

Riding a motorbike in Laos offers more than just transportation — it’s about freedom and discovery.

• Authentic connection to locals: When you stop in a rural village, children run to greet you, and locals often invite you for tea or a home-cooked meal. These spontaneous moments rarely happen on a bus.
• Scenic diversity: One day you’re crossing high mountain passes, the next you’re skirting rivers, waterfalls, and jungle-clad plateaus.
• Flexible adventure: On a CFR300 Honda or a Royal Enfield, you’re free to take detours to hidden caves, waterfalls, or ancient temples without worrying about schedules.
• Cost-effective travel: Fuel, food, and guesthouses are affordable. You can ride across the country without breaking the bank.
• Personal growth: Navigating remote roads and overcoming challenges gives riders confidence and stories they’ll share for a lifetime.

Popular Motorbike Tour Routes in Laos

Over the years, certain routes have become legendary among riders. Each offers its own flavor of adventure:

• The Thakhek Loop (Central Laos) – Famous for limestone karsts, caves, and the vast Kong Lor Cave. Ideal for riders on mid-range bikes like the Honda CB500X.
• The Northern Loop (Luang Prabang → Nong Khiaw → Oudomxay) – Known for steep mountain climbs and jaw-dropping viewpoints, perfect for GS Adventure riders.
• Bolaven Plateau Circuit (Southern Laos) – Coffee plantations, waterfalls, and cool air, often explored on a CFR300 Honda or Royal Enfield.
• Plain of Jars & Long Tieng Detour (Xieng Khouang Province) – Mysterious ancient relics and sobering war history.

Every route plans a different experience, and riders often mix them into a longer journey, like a two-week ride across the country from north to south.

Exploring the Bolaven Plateau on a Motorbike

The Bolaven Plateau is a paradise for riders. Starting from Pakse, you climb into higher altitudes where the air is cooler and fresher. Coffee plantations line the roadside, and waterfalls like Tad Fane and Tad Yuang roar with power.

On my last ride here, I took a Royal Enfield Himalayan — its steady handling made gravel roads and muddy trails easy. The plateau is best enjoyed slowly. Stop at coffee farms, sip locally grown brews, and chat with farmers who’ve been cultivating beans for generations.

The Bolaven Plateau isn’t just about landscapes; it’s about slowing down and letting the journey itself become the destination.

Riding the Famous Loop in Northern Laos

The Northern Loop, stretching from Luang Prabang through Nong Khiaw and back, is a rider’s rite of passage.

The roads snake through mountains, each bend revealing valleys dotted with rice paddies and bamboo villages. On a Honda CFR300L, you’ll feel every curve of the tarmac and every vibration of dirt tracks. For those preferring more power and comfort, the BMW GS Adventure eats up the kilometers effortlessly.

One rider I met from France described it perfectly: “Every turn feels like opening a door to another world — one minute you’re in foggy highlands, the next in sunlit valleys.”

Nong Khiaw is a highlight, with its dramatic karst mountains and the Nam Ou River — a place where most riders decide to stay an extra night.

Ride the Remote Beauty of Southern Laos on a Motorbike

Southern Laos is often overlooked, but it’s where you’ll find 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don), sleepy Mekong villages, and roads that feel like they belong only to you.

Riding from Pakse to Don Det, I took a Honda CB500X — perfect for the long straight stretches. What made this ride unforgettable wasn’t just the scenery but the isolation. Sometimes hours pass without seeing another vehicle.

It’s in these moments you truly appreciate the freedom of motorbike travel. Crossing the Mekong on a tiny ferry with your bike, riding through forests where locals wave as if you’re the first outsider they’ve seen in weeks — these are the experiences that define Laos.

Essential Gear and Equipment for Motorbike Touring in Laos

• Helmet: Always wear a full-face helmet for protection.
• Riding Jacket & Gloves: Lightweight but with armor for safety in tropical weather.
• Boots: Waterproof adventure boots are best.
• Tools & Spares: Puncture repair kits, basic tools, and spare tubes are lifesavers.
• Navigation: GPS, offline maps (Maps.me), or a local SIM card for Google Maps.
• Bike Choice: CFR300 Honda for light adventure, Honda CB500X for versatility, GS Adventure for long-haul comfort, and Royal Enfield for character and charm.

Plain of Jars

The Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang is not only mysterious but also deeply atmospheric. Giant stone jars scattered across fields spark theories about ancient burial practices or storage vessels.

Riding here is an experience in itself — the winding roads, cool air, and sense of stepping back in time. Many riders pause here to reflect, as the site also bears scars of the Secret War, with unexploded ordnance still present in the region.

It’s a reminder that motorbike journeys in Laos are as much about history and humanity as they are about adventure.

War Memories: Long Tieng

Long Tieng, once the CIA’s secret airbase during the Vietnam War era, remains largely off the tourist radar. It’s a place heavy with history, where stories of covert operations and hidden wars still echo.

I remember parking my Royal Enfield Himalayan near the old runway and talking to an elderly villager who remembered the “silent planes. Experiences like this make riding Laos different from anywhere else — the bike becomes a bridge to the past.

What are the best motorcycle tours in Laos in 2026?

The best motorbike tours in Laos include the Thakhek Loop, Bolaven Plateau Circuit, Plain of Jars Ride, Northern Laos Adventure (Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw), Southern Mekong Ride, Long Tieng War History Route, Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng Ride, 4,000 Islands Tour, Attapeu Jungle Ride, and the Grand Laos Cross-Country Tour (north to south).

Riding in Laos isn’t just about the roads — it’s about the stories that unfold. As a rider who’s explored Laos on everything from a Honda CFR300L to a BMW GS Adventure, I can tell you that every route feels different: misty mountains in the north, coffee plantations in the south, and secret war sites in between. Here are the top 10 motorcycle tours in Laos for 2026 with insider details.

1. The Thakhek Loop – Central Laos Classic

The Thakhek Loop is the most famous motorbike ride in Laos — a 450 km circuit that begins and ends in Thakhek. The route takes you past limestone mountains, remote villages, and the legendary Kong Lor Cave, where a 7 km underground river runs through the rock. Roads are mixed: smooth highways alternate with rougher sections, so a Honda CB500X is ideal for comfort. Riders usually take 4 days, stopping overnight in Kong Lor village for homestays. On my own ride here, I once shared rice whiskey with a farmer after helping him fix his scooter — proof that the Loop is as much about people as it is about scenery.

2. Bolaven Plateau Circuit – Waterfalls & Coffee Ride

Starting from Pakse, this loop climbs into the highlands of the Bolaven Plateau, where the cool climate is perfect for riding. Expect misty mornings, coffee plantations, and stunning waterfalls like Tad Fane and Tad Yuang. The roads are paved but can be slippery from rain, so a Royal Enfield Himalayan is a steady choice. Many riders detour to hidden waterfalls — places where you may find yourself completely alone. This ride mixes natural beauty with Laos’ best coffee culture.

3. Northern Laos Adventure – Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw

This ride is often called one of the most scenic in Asia. From Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw, the road winds through karst mountains, follows the Nam Ou River, and passes through traditional minority villages. Expect narrow mountain switchbacks and jaw-dropping viewpoints. A Honda CFR300L is perfect for agility on the curves. Riding time is about 6 hours depending on stops, and many travelers stay an extra night in Nong Khiaw for kayaking and riverside relaxation.

4. Plain of Jars Ride – History Meets Mystery

From Phonsavan, ride out to the Plain of Jars, an archaeological wonder dotted with hundreds of giant stone jars. The road is mostly smooth, with long stretches across open countryside. A Honda CB500X or GS Adventure makes the ride comfortable. Mornings are best for photography and cooler weather. The ride combines mystery, history, and landscapes in a way that feels timeless.

5. Long Tieng War History Route – The Secret Base

The road into Long Tieng takes you deep into war history. Once a secret CIA airbase, today it’s a quiet valley surrounded by Hmong villages. Roads are rough in sections, and the scenery is wild, which makes the ride feel raw and adventurous. A Royal Enfield is a great fit for the rugged terrain. Talking to locals adds depth — many still have living memories of the “secret war.”

6. Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng Ride – The Scenic Highway

The ride between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng is pure mountain drama: twisting roads, misty high passes, and picture-perfect viewpoints. Road conditions are mostly good, but unpredictable animal crossings mean daytime riding is safest. A GS Adventure offers smooth handling for the long climbs and descents. Every turn here feels like a postcard view.

7. Southern Mekong Ride – From Pakse to 4,000 Islands

Flat but endlessly authentic, this ride takes you from Pakse to Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands). Expect ferry crossings, Mekong sunsets, and quiet rural roads through rice paddies. The Honda CB500X is perfect for easy cruising. Riders often stop at Don Det and Don Khon islands, and swimming in the Khone Phapheng waterfalls is unforgettable. The pace is slow, but the experience is deeply local.

8. Attapeu Jungle Ride – Off the Map

For riders craving adventure, the road into Attapeu is jungle, waterfalls, and almost no tourists. Expect dirt tracks, unpredictable surfaces, and the need to carry extra fuel — stations are rare. A Honda CFR300L is the most reliable choice for off-road riding here. The feeling is raw and remote, like you’ve discovered Laos’ last frontier.

9. Laos War Memory Trail – Phonsavan to Viengxay

This ride connects Phonsavan to Viengxay, leading through rural valleys dotted with war relics. Along the way, you can visit the Viengxay caves — once the headquarters of the Pathet Lao. The roads are long and steady, making a GS Adventure a strong pick for endurance. Hiring a local guide adds depth to the ride, as many hidden sites are best explained by those who lived through the era.

10. The Grand Laos Cross-Country Tour – North to South (14 Days)

For those with time, the Grand Laos Cross-Country Tour is the ultimate ride. Starting in Luang Prabang, it winds through the Plain of Jars, down the Thakhek Loop, across the Bolaven Plateau, and ends in the 4,000 Islands. Road conditions vary from smooth highways to rough off-road patches, so a GS Adventure or Honda CB500X offers the right balance of comfort and endurance. On my own ride, I began in frosty mountain air with gloves stiff from cold and finished two weeks later riding barefoot in the Mekong heat — proof of how diverse Laos can be in a single journey.